Aston Martin is once again set to make history with its newest announcement. The renowned car manufacturer has revealed that a racing prototype version of its ultimate hypercar, the Valkyrie, will be competing in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans competition in 2025. This groundbreaking decision has been made possible through the support and backing of Aston Martin’s championship-winning endurance racing partner, Heart of Racing (HoR).
In a thrilling move, Aston Martin plans to enter at least one Valkyrie race car in the Hypercar class of both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championships (IMSA) starting in 2025. This ambitious undertaking means that the prototype Valkyrie will not only be participating in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans but also in two other highly esteemed motorsport racing events: the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Lawrence Stroll, the Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, expressed his excitement over this momentous occasion, stating, “Performance is the lifeblood of everything that we do at Aston Martin, and motorsport is the ultimate expression of this pursuit of excellence. We have been present at Le Mans since the earliest days, and through those glorious endeavors, we succeeded in winning Le Mans in 1959 and our class 19 times over the past 95 years. Now we return to the scene of those first triumphs, aiming to write new history with a racing prototype inspired by the fastest production car Aston Martin has ever built.”
The Valkyrie optimized for endurance racing will boast a carbon-fiber chassis and will utilize a modified version of the Cosworth-built 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine found in the road-legal Valkyrie, capable of generating a staggering 1,000 horsepower. However, this power unit will be further enhanced to meet the stringent requirements of the Hypercar class and endure the rigors of top-level, long-distance racing. Unlike the road-specification Valkyrie, the race car will forego the battery-electric hybrid system, focusing solely on unleashing the raw combustion power of the V12 on the track.
Once the Valkyrie racing prototype is officially homologated, the Heart of Racing team will take charge of Aston Martin’s racing programs in both the WEC and IMSA championships. This remarkable feat will mark a significant milestone, as the Valkyrie race car will become the first purebred hypercar to participate in both prestigious championships. Moreover, it stands apart from its competitors by tracing its origins back to an existing production car.
Fans of the Valkyrie have already witnessed its impressive capabilities on various tracks, including the Laguna Seca and Hockenheimring circuits. Aston Martin has made it clear that the hypercar is not meant to be a mere collector’s item, destined to gather dust in climate-controlled garages. Instead, Aston Martin aims to unleash the Valkyrie’s power and allow it to fulfill its true purpose on the racetrack.
The announcement of Aston Martin’s Valkyrie entry in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans and its participation in other prominent racing events has undoubtedly sparked great anticipation within the motorsport world. Enthusiasts eagerly await the day when they can witness the awe-inspiring performance of this exceptional hypercar and its quest to carve out a new chapter in racing history.